Pair of Coffee Spoons thumbnail 1
Not currently on display at the V&A

Pair of Coffee Spoons

1901-1902 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Charles Robert Ashbee (1863-1942) established the Guild of Handicraft in 1888. Influenced by Ruskin and Morris, he intended the Guild to be a co-operative venture which would encourage the full creative potential of the craftsman. At the turn of the century, the Guild was at the height of its success and had evolved a distinctive and mature style. Softly planished surfaces decorated with chasing and embossing were characteristic of Ashbee's designs and had a significant effect on contemporary silver in Europe and America as well as Britain. Financially however, the Guild was less successful and in 1908, Ashbee was forced to wind up its affairs.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Parts
This object consists of 2 parts.

  • Spoon
  • Spoon
Materials and techniques
Silver, hammered and set with a chrysoprase
Brief description
Silver set with a chrysoprase, London hallmarks for 1901-02, mark of the Guild of Handicraft, designed by C.R. Ashbee.
Physical description
Pair of coffee spoons, silver, with pointed handles set with a chrysoprase.
Dimensions
  • Length: 3.5in
Marks and inscriptions
  • London hallmarks for 1901-02
  • Mark of the Guild of Handicraft
Credit line
Given by the Duchess of Leeds
Object history
Gift of the Duchess of Leeds
Summary
Charles Robert Ashbee (1863-1942) established the Guild of Handicraft in 1888. Influenced by Ruskin and Morris, he intended the Guild to be a co-operative venture which would encourage the full creative potential of the craftsman. At the turn of the century, the Guild was at the height of its success and had evolved a distinctive and mature style. Softly planished surfaces decorated with chasing and embossing were characteristic of Ashbee's designs and had a significant effect on contemporary silver in Europe and America as well as Britain. Financially however, the Guild was less successful and in 1908, Ashbee was forced to wind up its affairs.
Collection
Accession number
CIRC.362&A-1959

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Record createdDecember 24, 2008
Record URL
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